I knew I was Pool Stored when...

[superdave5599]

I didn't mention that those pics were taken right over the trash can the card went in, immediately after taking them!

Also, y'all are ruthless! And I love it.

They did have a coupling piece I needed when I redid the filter plumbing last month. So they have that going for them I guess.

 

[mgtfp]

If you take that route, you'll be SUPER disappointed when you find that you are in the very wrong Manhattan!

Instead, fly to LA, then hop a flight over to either Dallas or Chicago, then take that to Manhattan Regional Airport and carpool with @JamesW

That would have been disappointing, thanks for that!

You all will be more than welcome to come swim in my own trouble-free pool after class. But I'll ask you to please check your chemical purchases at the door; I don't want that in MY water!

If enough show up, I'll pull the Christmas lights back out and hang them along the fence again, and wear my Cousin Eddie leopard-print speedo.

That will be fun. I remember your Eddie Speedos from your X-mas in July pics - awesome!

 

[Newdude]

I remember your Eddie Speedos from your X-mas in July pics - awesome!

I bleached my eyes. I can't see much of anything anymore, but at least I no longer see THAT. #worthit.

 

[Katodude]

Now all I want is a cousin Eddie leopard speedo. I will ask July Santa to bring me one.

 

[superdave5599]

Now all I want is a cousin Eddie leopard speedo. I will ask July Santa to bring me one.

Here ya go:

SWIMMING SUIT LEOPARD 2019

Swimming Suit Leopard 2019 - Turbo - 55% Pbt 45% Polyester (Proresistant).

turboswim.com

Yes, I ordered it from Europe, as soon as we discussed the Christmas in July party in April of last year. I wanted it to be as close to authentic as I could find, and not be worried about a $12 Amazon special falling apart.

 

[Eric83]

Yep, they got me. Long post incoming.

I inherited an aboveground pool, bought a house in the fall of 2021. I live in Northern Ohio if anyone's wondering. Pool sat neglected by previous owners, not sure for how long. One silver lining is I had a friend who had a pool before that was able to help me find a pump that goes with the filter system, and set everything up. I didn't even know where to start in terms of setting up a pump and filter system. But this friend also used the poolstore philosophy when it comes to chemicals, telling me I need a chlorinator and chlorine pucks. The stores also got me for phosphate remover, clarifier, algaecide, cal-hypo shock, test kit that I don't even use anymore, and probably some other things I don't even remember.

The first season two years ago was such a struggle. I shocked the pool with cal-hypo shock probably six times!! Each time the pool seemed to get a little clearer and clearer, but there was still visible green algae that would come up when I scrubbled the bottom. I was getting frustrated. Then.... my liner all of a sudden got a hole in it that was too large to repair and I lost all my water. . The fact this happened might be a both a blessing and a curse. I'm not sure how old the liner was but it sure wasn't new. If the liner hadn't gone bad, I don't even want to think of how I would have gotten the water to clear up for that first season (maybe I would have discovered TFP/SLAM then, who knows). My struggles to get the water clear if I had to guess were a combination of so much crud caked onto the bottom of the old liner, combined with not having the correct FC/CYA ratio consistently. Once I got the new liner installed with fresh water I was able to scrape through that season on the chlorine pucks. I think I first discovered TFP at some point during this season but had not taken the time to fully research the TFPC method.

Fast forward to last season, still using cal-hypo shock, shocked it a few times, pool just isn't clearing up. One problem is I didn't have any CYA in the pool, UGH. (EDIT: Just wanted to say I will take the blame for that particular mistake, as I had learned about CYA and its important the year before). Another problem is my brand new hayward pump would not start properly!! I actually found a workaround solution here on TFP, although I can't find the thread. It was about this time I started visiting TFP more and reading the articles on pool school. I decided to give it a chance. Ordered a TF-100 test kit, got CYA in the pool, did a slam. The water came clear and it absolutely saved my pool season!! Due to delays with figuring out the pump problem I didn't even get the pool opened until late July, but I enjoyed the time I got. Image of my pool after the SLAM was complete.

I sold my chlorinator and now only use liquid chlorine. I may upgrade to an SWG at some point. I am currently performing a SLAM to get my pool ready for this summer, and things are going great so far. Yesterday I threw away a bunch of stuff I had bought from the pool stores and will never use. Stuff I named in the first paragraph above. Not only was I "stored", I was also "poolcoursed". Before that first season, I was searching online for info and I came across an online video series that this so-called expert sells. I think it was something like $75 for the whole course. I won't name it because I don't want to advertise for them. While much of the info in this course was good, it probably didn't tell me a single thing I couldn't have learned from TFP for free. And in terms of chemicals, yep it repeats the same stuff the pool stores do. I so wish I had discovered TFP then and use that as my resource, instead of wasting my money on this video course and all the pool store Crud. But at least now on the dawn of pool season #3 for me I have found a much better way, and I will never waste my money with them again. If there is one silver living, at least I had that friend to help get my going pump and filter wise, and did it free of charge. Without him, I would have needed to hire a professional, and that would have been even more hundreds spent on top of everything else.

I am so thankful for TFP and everyone who helps make this such a great resource. THANK YOU. I seriously need to become a supporter.

 

[nuttyp]

Great stories all! I knew I was pool stored when ... I watched the clerk testing my water while he looked at and spoke to someone else, all the while "squirting a stream" of reagent into the vial of test water, then "documenting the chemistry".

 

[Lucky13F]

I knew it AFTER this all happened...
Normally -- the people in my local "________" chain are pretty darn good, as far as I can tell - rarely convince me to buy anything and usually give me good advice.
But there was a different guy in there -- he seems like an "old pro"
He tested my water and said you desperately need to get your water hardness up.
Never before have I heard that - but I did not doubt him.
The test readout said I needed 50 pounds of Hardness Up -- when I groaned at the price, he recommended starting with 25. Make sure I mix it in water first -- then add it.
I did.
1 week later -- I have had to drain my pool to the bottom of the skimmer 4 times and refill it by hose [sadly - the non-stop rain we had been having slowed to a trickle]
Still -- while my water looks like a beautiful shade of blue -- you cannot see through it because it's so darn cloudy.

I went back to the store - he was not there - my usual people were and rolled their eyes when I told them the story. Said just keep emptying and refilling until the hardness drops.
It has dropped - significantly - but still oh so cloudy.
The Hardness Up cost me $37+ tax
My water bill has yet to be revealed.

 

[amymeme]

At the time, did not know I was pool stored, this was back in the late 1980s. We bought a house with an inground pool. With a Hayward chlorinator - a large, vase-shaped turquoise thing for trichlor tabs. I purchased a large bucket of them. Religiously brought my samples to the store ( a mighty 40 minute schlepp btw) and was consistently showing low pH. Buying lots of pH up. Then began the algae fight. So lots of algaecide purchased. They told me it was acid rain. Following year they said it was the pine trees in the yard.

But that pool store didn't really stock parts for inground pool systems, primarily above ground. I needed something that required a trip to another store over an hour away. Chatting with the lady owner there, I mentioned my ongoing algae fight asked what she recommended for algaecide. I'll never forget her reply - if you use the right amount of chlorine, you don't need algaecide. Huh?!!?

Sometime in the next few years I discovered the prelude to trouble free pool (Ben?) and began the BBB protocol. Things have been looking up since then.

 

[Ticojpunk]

I have a few tidbits. Nothing major but...

1.) "Don't bother with solar covers they don't do anything. You don't need it."

2.) "You can't do salt water in an above ground pool."

3.) "The Frog System is all you need."

4.) (testing with basic tests strips, not even measuring CYA), "Your chlorine is way too high, you should probably just drain it and refill."

5.) (shorted me the skimmer basket on initial delivery), went to store and... "We don't have those in stock, will be about a week". Meanwhile, Ocean State Job Lot has a ton of them.

6.) Pool included steps and ladder. But I was going to build a deck. Asked if I could use the stairs I got but with a deck, and they had no idea what they were talking about. Told me to velcro the steps to the stop rail using part of the ladder assembly. I ended up calling Main Access, the company that makes the steps I had, and turns out they had a deck conversion kit (basically just handrails and a little bracket. But the pool store that sells tons of these things, knew little to nothing about it.

I plan this year to just never deal with them unless I need a skimmer pole or some other large supply type thing. But I always dreaded going in there. Now with the TF-Pro test kit I'm thrilled to never have to walk in there with a water sample again and watch them use the same (or worse) test strips that I was already using and then tell me what I already knew.

 

[Gardenmom]

With the influx of springtime new members rolling in, oddly, I found myself astounded at the number of members that have been Pool Stored. I don't know why it struck me this year, after helping so many that have been pool stored in the past, and even having the username PoolStored, but nonetheless, I'm astounded.

Why don't you share your "I knew I was Pool Stored when..." story so members can see we've all been there? I'll go first.

New pool owner during winter (came with the house). Pool Store told me that the UV system needed to be replaced, $1000 ("it will sanitize your pool"). What did I know? (Hint: NaDa). Sure, replace it! They opened the pool, fired up the puck chlorinator, and replaced the UV. I followed their instructions on adding pucks...two weeks later pool turned green. Daily 45 minute trips to the Pool Store (over 10 days) with water samples that turned into daily $50 purchases...clarifiers, algaecides, shock, phosphate removers. At one point I finally realized they had given me the same water results, but a different chemical set. #PoolStored.

TFP and @mknauss saved my pool, and a bunch of $$ over the years. Knock wood, no second SLAMs in my pool.

Share your PoolStored story and who here helped you save your pool, and join #TeamPoolStored, where "The first step is admitting the Pool Store is the problem," and the second step is "Get a good test kit."

If you found value from TFP, please consider becomming a supporter. We are entirely member supported and a non-profit...and no advertising!

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

I knew I was PoolStored when I was sold pH plus, pH minus, bags of shock, algaecide, floc, clarifier, and more in one trip. Cya rose to over 160.

 

[Newdude]

.

#preach. I have a big pool and every weekly trip was 100something. Many times 170something.

 

[kimkats]

and then there was TFP!!!

 

[jackieRN]

My cya was crazy high from stable pucks. I was sold NST prime and told it would chlorinate and not add cya. I was on Reddit talking pool when I got a !!!! Omg those are explosive when mixed!!!! Luckily before I added those to my feeder 48hrs of water had passed thru and there was no residue- dodged a bullet! Also been a sucker for ph up and down, metal out, Algaecide, phos free
Finally got my own kit. I have my struggles with it especially the TA. Slight pink 10 drops mid pink 13 drops, deep pink 18 what color are we looking for?? Red? Come on!

 

[Gardenmom]

My cya was crazy high from stable pucks. I was sold NST prime and told it would chlorinate and not add cya. I was on Reddit talking pool when I got a !!!! Omg those are explosive when mixed!!!! Luckily before I added those to my feeder 48hrs of water had passed thru and there was no residue- dodged a bullet! Also been a sucker for ph up and down, metal out, Algaecide, phos free
Finally got my own kit. I have my struggles with it especially the TA. Slight pink 10 drops mid pink 13 drops, deep pink 18 what color are we looking for?? Red? Come on!

Have Taylor k-2005c. TA goes from pale green to a pretty pale, yet, noticeable red. Perhaps your reagents need updating?

 

[Gardenmom]

Have Taylor k-2005c. TA goes from pale green to a pretty pale, yet, noticeable red. Perhaps your reagents need updating?

 

[LBI salt pool]

I found TFP while I was still in the closing process for my house. They never even had a chance to Pool Store me. In fact, my running side quest in pool ownership is to continue to stick it to pool stores by literally never setting foot in them unless something is so critically broken that I need a replacement same day.

.. and to deal with that I now have a commercial account the local supply house

How would you buy your chemicals?

 

[proavia]

How would you buy your chemicals?

You would need to supply proof to the wholesale business that you have a business license or other acceptable documentation from your city, county, state. Each wholesaler has different requirements and you would need to check with them directly for specific requirements.

 

[dfwnoob]

How would you buy your chemicals?

I use them for buying Jandy equipment that is otherwise restricted to "professionals", like my pump, SWCG and power center. The supply house actually has garbage deals on chemicals. The only thing I use is DE, MA, CYA, and the odd few gallons of LC, in which case buying those at Home Depot and Walmart make for much better deals.

They are also useful for random odds and ends like Polaris parts where Leslies and PAP price gouge. Chemicals, no.

 

[jackieRN]

As an artist red means something different to me I guess. Another suggested keep adding drops till saturation occurs amd that’s the end point. I’ve done it a few times now and I’m getting the hang of it.!
I’m new to this whole process- I relied on pool stores! Got me into a HUGE MESS